{"id":369002,"date":"2024-02-19T18:24:09","date_gmt":"2024-02-19T19:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=369002"},"modified":"2024-02-19T20:04:38","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T20:04:38","slug":"rising-star-bolts-into-nrl-top-50-at-just-21","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/?p=369002","title":{"rendered":"Rising star bolts into NRL top 50 at just 21"},"content":{"rendered":"

As the NRL<\/a>'s official broadcaster, Nine takes the world's elite rugby league competition very seriously, so when we decided to do a top 50 players list we wanted to make sure we were doing it right.<\/p>\n

That's why we enlisted a panel of 10 judges, including several of the best players of all-time as well as Nine's top rugby league journalists who watch and cover the game for a living.<\/p>\n

The panel we put together consists of: Andrew Johns<\/a>, Darren Lockyer<\/a>, Brad Fittler<\/a>, Allana Ferguson<\/a>, Emma Lawrence, Danika Mason, Roy Masters, Andrew Webster, Michael Chammas and Adam Pengilly.<\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> NRL top 50 players countdown kicks off<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

READ MORE:<\/strong> 'Super race' tipped for tiny Aussie running meet<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n

\ufeffREAD MORE:<\/strong> Chappell fumes as key cricket format left behind<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Click on this link<\/strong><\/a> to find out how the judges chose the top 50 NRL players \ufefffor 2024 and revisit the 10 players who landed from 50-41.<\/p>\n

\"NRL<\/p>\n

The countdown continues with the players ranked from \ufeff40-31.<\/p>\n

Read on below to find out who made the cut.<\/p>\n

\"\"\"\"<\/p>\n

40. HAMISO TABUAI-FIDOW (13)<\/strong><\/p>\n

As they say in the classics, speed kills and the Hammer<\/a> is arguably the quickest player in the game. People questioned his move from the Cowboys to the Dolphins but he was instantly transformed from Mr Fix It to a top class club fullback, so the doubters were put straight back in their box.<\/p>\n

Has been electric at Origin level and looks a lock at centre for Queensland for the next decade. While that's the case they'll never be short on points. Danika Mason<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

39. KOTONI STAGGS\ufeff (13)<\/strong><\/p>\n

His footwork is out of this world. Actually, so is the fend. He's the toughest centre to handle one on one. He's also an aggressive defender and you can rely on him to put pressure on the opposition and ruffle a few feathers. Staggs<\/a> has certainly matured in the last few years and is far more disciplined on the field. He forms part of the most lethal backline in the competition. \u00a0Emma Lawrence<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

38. EZRA MAM<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ufeffI've got one word for this kid: exciting! Ezra Mam's only been in first grade for two seasons and he could have been a Clive Churchill Medallist if not for the late grand final takeover by Nathan Cleary. He's got pace to burn and the way he buzzes around, he seems to make small gaps in the defensive line into huge problems for his opponents.<\/p>\n

The Broncos have got some monsters in their pack, particularly Payne Haas, and the way Mam uses the momentum of the middles to get over the advantage line is so exciting, unless of course you're a defender. Allana Ferguson<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

37. CLINTON GUTHERSON (16)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Clint Gutherson<\/a> is one of the most whole-hearted players in the comp. He's a coach's dream because he's fit, he's no fuss, there's no trust issues or drama with him, he never bitches or whines, he just loves playing, loves the team environment and he's really capable. He's a bit like a Cam Murray, everyone would love to play with him, and when the Eels need a big play he's always in the picture. Brad Fittler<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

36. TOM DEARDEN\ufeff (18)<\/strong><\/p>\n

I think it's a really big year for Tommy. I'm glad he signed that extension to stay in Townsville and with Chad Townsend coming to the end of his career, he'll be the next one to play No.7 for the Cowboys. I'd like to see him take a more dominant role and if the Cowboys are a chance of being a top four team and threatening for the title, Dearden<\/a> needs more quality ball. He's as tough as they come and he competes, but he needs more touches on the field. And we saw what he can do when that happens with his State of Origin debut a couple of years ago. Andrew Johns<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

35. SCOTT DRINKWATER (19)\ufeff<\/strong><\/p>\n

He's been a revelation for the Cowboys and is so dangerous when he's on. If that footy team has got momentum, his speed across the ground and his passing game causes a lot of headaches on the edge of defensive lines. He reads a three on two really well, but it's his ability to get across the ground and test defenders' lateral movement that makes him dangerous. Often the way a play unfolds when he's got the ball, a defensive centre will have to come in because he's beaten a half or a second rower on the outside. He's also got a kicking game, so he's the style of fullback where he can be a playmaker but he's equally dangerous as a ball-runner in his own right. Darren Lockyer<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

34. NELSON ASOFA-SOLOMONA (19)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ufeffThe biggest player in the NRL represents a dilemma: do you play him in the middle where his giant size provides go forward, creating momentum? Or do you play him on the edge where he can terrorise smaller halfbacks with the ball? The answer will come with Melbourne's needs: the club has a small middle rotation, meaning Nelson<\/a> will be needed as a ruckie. New captain Harry Grant will have an influence on selections, nominating Nelson as the man whose quick play-the-ball gives the little hooker a platform to attack. Nelson's problem is fitness. Coach Bellamy won't want him blowing up after 15 minutes. Nor will he want him blowing up in the other sense: losing his temper and conceding penalties. Roy Masters<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

33. MOSES LEOTA (32)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ufeffOften overshadowed by his front-row partner James Fisher-Harris when it comes to accolades, but has enormous respect from his peers. Leota's performance in the final quarter of last year's grand final has also been undervalued and somewhat lost in Nathan Cleary's heroics to lead Penrith to victory against the Broncos.<\/p>\n

Leota is one of the most-underrated players in the competition, averaging more than 100 metres per game over the past four seasons. Michael Chammas<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

32. JAROME LUAI (36)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ufeffInside the Panthers' heaving dressing room after their remarkable grand final win last year, Jarome Luai<\/a> said the side was "just getting started". A few months later he signed the richest contract in Tigers' history to join the club from 2025. Who's the real Jarome Luai? Maybe only his family truly know. But there's no denying he's a heck of a player. The yin to Nathan Cleary's yang, Luai showed an underrated characteristic late last year: his toughness. To play in the finals after a dislocated shoulder injury weeks earlier inspired his teammates, and no one can ever accuse him of not wanting a challenge. It will be fun to watch in new colours when he gets there. Adam Pengilly<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

31. REUBEN COTTER (37)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\ufeffNot content with being of the few people in this world who can pull off the elusive mullet-moustache combo, North Queensland's Reuben Cotter is living proof that you should never die on your dreams. He suffered torn anterior cruciate ligaments in his knees in 2016 and 2017, cruelling the early part of his career, but the 25- year-old is now counted among the game's best middle forwards.<\/p>\n

He's the prototype of the modern-day middle: short, strong, mobile. Last year, he played 80 minutes in all three State of Origin matches for Queensland and was named the Wally Lewis Medallist as man of the series. Andrew Webster<\/strong><\/p>\n

Graphics – Tara Blancato<\/em>\ufeff<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the NRL's official broadcaster, Nine takes the world's elite rugby league competition very seriously, so when we decided to do a top 50 players […]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":369007,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369002"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=369002"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369002\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":369029,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369002\/revisions\/369029"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/369007"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=369002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=369002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportinfo.pro\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=369002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}